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Benin-Asaba Expressway: Minister Umahi orders contract review amid road crisis
Minister of Works David Umahi has apologized to motorists following severe gridlock and road deterioration on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway. The highway, which is being converted into a 10-lane road, has left many travelers stranded for days due to failed road sections.
Umahi has accused the concessionaire, Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), of technical incompetence and the destruction of public assets. Specifically, the minister alleged that the company removed over 30 kilometres of existing asphalt without first constructing necessary drainage infrastructure, a move that has exacerbated the road's condition during heavy rainfall.
In response, the Federal Government is considering a review of the concession agreement and has requested that the BAECC initiate the termination of its contract. Umahi has also ordered the arrest of any contractors or concessionaires found removing asphalt from federal roads without proper authorization.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Works to implement urgent emergency interventions and total reconstruction of the affected Benin-Asaba corridor, as well as the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti highway, to restore free movement.
Entities
Benin-Asaba Expressway · Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company · Benin-Asaba road · Bola Tinubu · David Umahi · Edo State · Edo State Government · Federal Ministry of Works · Ifaki-Kabba Road · Ministry of Works · Monday Okpebholo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The concessionaire removed over 30 kilometres of asphalt without completing rehabilitation. primanews.org
- [● 6 SOURCES] Minister Umahi ordered the arrest of contractors or concessionaires removing asphalt without authorization. dailyreport.ng · gwg.ng · thenews-chronicle.com · nannews.ng · thewhistler.ng
- [● 8 SOURCES] Motorists have been stranded for several days due to failed sections of the Benin-Asaba highway. gwg.ng · platinumpost.news · primanews.org · ait.live · nationalaccordnewspaper.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Federal Government is considering a review of the Benin-Asaba Expressway concession agreement. dailyreport.ng · platinumpost.news · nairametrics.com · ait.live · radarr.africa · +1 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Minister David Umahi blamed the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) for the highway's deterioration. dailyreport.ng · gwg.ng · platinumpost.news · primanews.org · blueprint.ng · +9 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] President Bola Tinubu ordered urgent intervention and reconstruction of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba and Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti roads. chronicle.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · nationalaccordnewspaper.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Minister Umahi has requested the concessionaire to initiate the termination of its contract. newscentraltv.com · www.nouvelles-du-monde.com · nigerianobservernews.com · thecitizenng.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Minister accused the concessionaire of lacking technical competence and failing to build drainage before removing asphalt. dailyreport.ng · nannews.ng · www.nouvelles-du-monde.com · blueprint.ng